WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Charges have been filed against a school administrator in Westminster accused of sending inappropriate photos to an underage student, the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office said in a release Thursday.
Westminster Police said Tate Drane, 27, was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of sexual assault on a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child, and internet luring of a child.
Drane works at Mountain Range High School, where he has been the dean of students since Aug. 1, according to Adams 12 school district. He was placed on administrative leave after the arrest and will not work or coach in the district until further notice, the district said.
The district said Drane has worked for the district in various roles since 2018, including:
- Dean of Students at Mountain Range High School (August 1 to current)
- Physical education teacher at Rocky Top Middle School (August 2021 to July 2023)
- Assistant football coach at Thornton High School (For the following seasons: 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
- Head girls basketball coach at Thornton High School (2021-22 season)
- Head girls basketball coach at Mountain Range High School (For the following seasons: 2022-23, 2023-24 and current)
- Head football coach at Thornton High School (current season)
Police said that over the weekend, several reports were made through Safe2Tell alleging that Drane sent inappropriate photos to an underage student. Drane was arrested Monday afternoon and will be booked into the Adams County jail, police said.
On Thursday, the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office filed the following charges against Drane:
- Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child
- Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust
- Sexual Assault on a Child
All charges filed are felonies.
Police said their investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Westminster Police Department at 303-658-4360.